Coronavirus

The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus is creating uncertainty for everyone and the impact is being felt across the world. Below are a collection of insights and practical guidance to support you through the complex and difficult decisions you are currently being asked to make.

2 APRIL 2020

NHS workforce: working flexibly to assist with demands of the service

We know that managing rotas and staff attendance at this time will be a key operational consideration. Particularly when it is likely that a large proportion of the workforce may have been planning to take annual leave over the Easter break and there are not one, not two, but three bank holidays on the horizon. Below is some guidance that may assist with encouraging NHS staff to work flexibly given the ever changing and increasing demands on the service.

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5 min read

1 APRIL 2020

Can we adjust our intentions in relation to final dividends?

Companies are rightly reconsidering whether it is appropriate to pay dividends in the current climate.

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1 min read

1 APRIL 2020

How do we hold our AGM?

Companies are rightly concerned that the government’s Stay at Home policy may make the holding of the AGM very difficult. This is because most company articles will provide that only shareholders that are “present” can count towards quorum or can vote and in many cases to be “present” means you need to actually be at the same location as where the meeting is held.

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2 min read

1 APRIL 2020

Move over pre-packaged administration, it’s time for light touch administration

When people think of administration, they are likely to think of business failure. However, when administration was re-vamped in 2003, its primary purpose was survival, not failure, of a company.

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2 min read

1 APRIL 2020

Coronavirus, the media and PR communications: keeping the nation and your audience connected during an evolving health crisis

Never before has international media covered one story for such a prolonged period. The world is watching and/or reading news content with a primary focus on one subject, coronavirus (COVID-19). We consider how the media regulators have responded to such a unique time in our lives

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4 min read

1 APRIL 2020

Mills & Reeve lawyer acts in first-of-its-kind trial over Skype

Katrina McCrory advises in landmark video hearing in Court of Protection due to Covid-19. This trial could provide a model for court business during the pandemic and beyond.

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3 min read

31 MARCH 2020

What steps can landlords take in the event of tenant default and preserve any rights?

The full effects of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses and the economy will take some time before they are fully understood. The Government’s package of financial aid to help businesses survive the effect of the pandemic and lockdown are unprecedented.

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4 min read

31 MARCH 2020

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS): Key considerations for businesses

As part of Government’s support package for businesses in the midst of tackling with the coronavirus pandemic, it announced the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

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3 min read

31 MARCH 2020

What questions are being asked of divorce lawyers during the coronavirus lockdown?

Suzanne Kingston talks to CityWealth about the questions divorce lawyers are being asked during the Covid-19 outbreak.

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4 min read

30 MARCH 2020

Coronavirus: our business continuity plan

A message from our senior partner, Justin Ripman, on our response to the coronavirus outbreak.

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2 min read

30 MARCH 2020

Suspension of wrongful trading

As part of the efforts to protect businesses in the light of the current crisis, the government has announced a series of proposed changes to the corporate insolvency framework.

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2 min read

30 MARCH 2020

Coronavirus Act 2020: restrictions on terminating residential tenancies

The Coronavirus Act 2020 was enacted on 25 March 2020. It contains emergency legislation designed to help society cope with the coronavirus outbreak. It includes restrictions on the ability for landlords to terminate both residential and commercial tenancies.

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2 min read

30 MARCH 2020

What will happen to employment status and the Good Work Plan?

As we continue to face the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, gig workers face a lack of protection from the government. In contrast, the changes coming in on 6 April and the proposed Employment Bill continue to narrow the gap between the status and rights of workers and employees. Siân Jackson outlines the changes and how organisations should respond.

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5 min read

27 MARCH 2020

Operating a company in the new business unusual

The coronavirus pandemic and the daily changes in guidance are presenting companies and their directors with many challenges. Just planning for “business as usual” requires changes to one’s usual practices, involving a balance between compliance obligations, coping with financial stresses and following official public health advice to protect employees and yet maintain a sense of order – a new business unusual.

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5 min read

27 MARCH 2020

Coronavirus: Guidance to all food businesses

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published guidance to assist food businesses in responding to the coronavirus outbreak. It is vitally important that all food businesses prioritise the health and safety of their employees, agents and customers.

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4 min read

27 MARCH 2020

Coronavirus and English law contracts

The outbreak and spread of coronavirus is causing many problems for many businesses. You will need to review your contractual, legal and insurance position in order to consider what action may be appropriate.

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5 min read

27 MARCH 2020

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: frequently asked questions

We explain what we know so far about the scheme for saving jobs during the crisis, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 20 March.

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4 min read

26 MARCH 2020

Landlords, tenants, landowners – check your key dates in your property contracts

No matter what interest you hold in a property or properties, if you have any important dates coming up within the next six months then you should be looking at these now.

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4 min read

26 MARCH 2020

Coronavirus, property insurance and business interruption claims

Standard property business interruption insurance policies are very unlikely to be triggered by the coronavirus crisis. Andrew J Tobin explains why.

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4 min read

25 MARCH 2020

Everything you need to know about construction contracts in light of the coronavirus outbreak

When work grinds to a halt on a construction site, the key question is who pays for the delay? We explore the differences between specific JCT and NEC contracts plus the real impact on businesses when their contractor stops working and makes a claim. Currently the government seems to be saying that construction sites should stay open although that may change in the weeks ahead.

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4 min read

What are we doing?

Mills & Reeve is doing everything it can to ensure it is business as usual.

While our offices remain open, our people are now working from home wherever possible as advised by the Government and as we have been preparing for over the past few weeks. We are endeavouring to do everything we can to continue handling current matters seamlessly as well as being available to assist in tackling new legal issues arising from the outbreak.

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Coronavirus

What are we doing?

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